Climate and Health Resources:
ILLINOIS
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Climate change poses risks to human health. Already in the United States, we are seeing rising
temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather, sea level rise, and
other changes in weather and climate patterns. We are all vulnerable to the health impacts associated
with climate change. However, these climate and health risks vary across the country.
Most of Illinois has warmed by about 1°F in the last century, and floods are becoming more frequent.
These and other climate impacts mean increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for
Illinois residents include:
-	Higher temperatures and other weather changes will increase levels of ozone pollution (a
component of smog), increasing health risks like asthma-related hospital visits. Learn how you
can take action to protect against poor air quality, such as:
o Prepare: Check news or airnow.gov for the local air quality index,
o Respond: Reduce outdoor activity when pollution levels are high.
-	More frequent and intense heavy rainfall increases the risk of floods. Floods can lead to
injuries, deaths, and diseases. Learn how you can take action to protect against floods, such as:
o Respond: Fill bathtubs, sinks, and plastic containers with clean water,
o Respond: Avoid driving or walking in or near flood waters, even after the flood or during
cleanup.
-	Longer warm seasons mean that ticks that carry Lyme disease will emerge earlier in the
season. Already common in the Midwest, Lyme disease infections will increase. Learn how you
can take action to protect against ticks, such as:
o Respond: Check for and remove ticks promptly after coming indoors. Remember that
pets may bring ticks into the house,
o Respond: Wear protective clothing (such as high boots and long sleeves and pants), and
consider using insect repellent.
Learn more in the USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment.
The examples of risks and actions provided in this document are not a comprehensive list. They
provide users with illustrative impacts and resources for further information. Examples were
selected based on relevance to the state or region and representation of a diversity of health
threats. Selection does not imply ranking of severity of impacts nor prioritization of actions. The
examples of impacts are based on "The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the
United States: A Scientific Assessment," available at https://health2016.globalchange.gov, as well
as the National Climate Assessment at http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
June 2016

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RESOURCES FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn more: What Climate Change Means for Illinois
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

Learn more: National Climate Assessment: Midwest
U.S. Global Change
Research Program. 2014.

Explore Actions: Chicago Climate Action Plan
City of Chicago, 2008.

Find Resources: EPA Region 5
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Illinois Department of Public Health
State of Illinois

Find Resources: Illinois Emergency Management
Agency
State of Illinois

Find Resources: City Cooling Centers
City of Chicago,
Department of Family
and Support Services,
Homeless and
Emergency Services. City
Service.

Find Resources: Extreme Weather and Emergency
Services
City of Chicago,
Department of Family
and Support Services,
Homeless and
Emergency Services. City
Service.
June 2016

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